Plantation forestry method

This Methodology Determination (method) provides the rules for crediting emissions reductions for carbon sequestered in plantations, harvested wood products and permanent forests. Reductions achieved through eligible project activities can receive credits under the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF).

Read the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative—Plantation Forestry) Methodology Determination 2022.

This method builds on and replaces the plantation forestry method (2017).

Using the method

To use this method and take part in the ERF, you need to apply to the Clean Energy Regulator. The Regulator develops the methods and manages project registration and compliance, and crediting emissions reductions for projects under the ERF.

Visit the Regulator’s website for:

Until 1 June 2024, the eligibility requirements include meeting conditions (known as the water rule) designed to help manage the effects of commercial tree plantings on water availability in locations where average annual rainfall exceeds 600 millimetres. As of 1 June 2024, the water rule will be removed, and plantation forestry projects will no longer be required to meet these conditions.

Projects can meet the conditions if they:

do not start their crediting period before 1 June 2024
have a suitable water access entitlement
are in a region where the department determines the relevant state or territory government is adequately implementing National Water Initiative commitments to manage water interception by plantations
are in a region specified in the maps as one in which tree planting is unlikely to have a material adverse impact on water availability
- View the specified regions map (PDF 14.1 MB), may be updated from time to time)
- View the maps' data layer on data.gov.au
are in a region where a water access entitlement cannot be obtained, and they can be demonstrated (supported by advice from a state or territory agency) to not have a material impact on water availability or water access entitlements, or
can be shown to help manage dryland salinity.
- View the Salinity Guidelines (PDF 384 KB) | DOCX 90.6 KB) for how to demonstrate the planting mitigates dryland salinity.

Consultation on the method

The Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee (ERAC) conducts public consultation before giving advice about making or varying a method. Once finalised the ERAC advises the Minister on whether the new or varied method meets the offsets integrity standards.

Read the ERAC’s advice to the Minister on making the method in 2021 (PDF 627 KB) | (DOCX 1.53 MB).

See the public consultation and method draft on our Consultation hub.